MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee venues, including restaurants and bars, are working down to the wire to attract Republican National Convention visitors to spend money and time at their establishments when the event comes to town July 15 to 18.

Paul Schwartz is the executive director of the Milwaukee Public Market, which earned the title of the nation’s best public market in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards earlier this year.

Schwartz said the market’s upstairs event space and cooking classes are getting booked for convention week.

“We still have available dates, but we will be busy bringing in delegates, and doing our best to host events around the convention,” said Schwartz. 

Schwartz said the market’s downtown location, just outside the RNC security zone, will be an asset.

“It opens us up,” he said. “With activities like playing pickleball across the street, mini golf at our Dinky Links course, or grabbing food inside. It’s a multi-dimensional experience and a must-see for anyone coming to Milwaukee.”

Eric Kaye, the general manager of 3rd Street Market Hall, said his team is also preparing to host RNC guests.

“We have breakfasts, late nights, Top Golf Swing Suites, shuffleboard, corn hole, video games, pinball and a self-serve beer wall featuring several highly accoladed beers you wouldn’t find if you were visiting another city. We have 19 different local food vendors,” said Kaye. 

Kaye said he is also excited to showcase the newly opened Venue 3, which is a private event room attached to the market hall.

“Our event team is working super hard for the convention,” he added.

Overall, Milwaukee is expected to see an economic impact of $200 million from the convention. Both the 3rd Street Market Hall and the Milwaukee Public Market said they’re looking forward to benefiting from the extra visitors and showcasing what the city has to offer.